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TreeWorks
Can we leverage our organization's existing GIS resources (software, data, hardware, and staff)? Will TreeWorks integrate smoothly into our current organizational GIS?
Can we share our tree data with other GIS users in our organization?
Is TreeWorks "GPS-enabled"?
Our organization already has a work order (or budgeting, service requests, etc.) software system in place; can we use TreeWorks to create and maintain a tree inventory database, and integrate that into our existing work order system? If so, do we have to pay the full price?
We have tree inventory data already; can we convert it to TreeWorks format and continue building upon it?
Are the tree descriptors customizable? Can we use our own organizational terminology to describe maintenance tasks, work priority levels, landuse categories, etc.? Can we add, modify, or remove species and other variables from the drop-down picklists?
Is the tree inventory just a "snapshot" in time, or can historical information be tracked?
Kenerson Group
What is GIS Analysis?
How can I get started?
Where can I get trained to use GIS to help my organization?
Can we leverage our organization's existing GIS resources (software, data, hardware, and staff)? Will TreeWorks integrate smoothly into our current organizational GIS?
Yes. TreeWorks is designed as a standard ESRI ArcGIS and ArcPad extension. You may use whatever basemap you use now, with "live" datasets loaded from a network server or locally-stored shapefiles, and drop the TreeWorks layers right in. A TreeWorks toolbar is added to the list of available toolbars within ArcMap. The TreeWorks database itself can be stored locally or on a network.
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Can we share our tree data with other GIS users in our organization?
Yes. The TreeWorks tree database is a standard ArcGIS Personal Geodatabase; the Tree Sites data layer is a point feature class (i.e. a map layer with data linked to it) that can be added to any ArcGIS map. The geodatabase can be stored on a shared network for multi-user access. The work orders, maintenance history, species database, and other data related to the trees are in linked tables that are all stored in the one TreeWorks geodatabase file.
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Is TreeWorks "GPS-enabled"?
Yes. If your field unit contains a GPS receiver, or can be connected to one, you can use the GPS signal to create your tree site points. Normally, though, we have found that the most efficient and economical way to accurately locate your tree sites in an urban setting is to use aerial photography. When you are in the field, zoom in on the map to where you are standing, and there is the tree on the aerial photo; use the stylus to tap the screen and create the tree point!
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Our organization already has a work order (or budgeting, service requests, etc.) software system in place; can we use TreeWorks to create and maintain a tree inventory database, and integrate that into our existing work order system? If so, do we have to pay the full price?
Yes. The TreeWorks system is available in two levels: Basic and Professional. Both include TreeWorks Mobile. With the Basic level, you can build your tree inventory, analyze it, run reports on it, calculate appraisal values with it, and even track maintenance work tree-by-tree. The Professional level adds more sophisticated management capabilities, such as inputting, mapping and tracking service requests, analyzing your maintenance needs and creating, printing and logging work orders. So to answer the original question, you could create your tree inventory using the Basic version of TreeWorks, and use the GIS platform for analysis and presentations, while integrating the tree data into the framework of a municipal work management or budgeting system that is already in place. The Basic level of TreeWorks cost a little over half the price of the Pro version.
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We have tree inventory data already; can we convert it to TreeWorks format and continue building upon it?
Yes. We have provided this service to several of our users. The additional fee for the data migration would vary depending on the number of trees involved, and on how close in format the existing data is to the TreeWorks format.
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Are the tree descriptors customizable? Can we use our own organizational terminology to describe maintenance tasks, work priority levels, landuse categories, etc.? Can we add, modify, or remove species and other variables from the drop-down picklists?
Yes. TreeWorks provides an easyh-to-use Configuration tool that allows you to customize a significant proportion of the tree and maintenance descriptors and other program variables.
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Is the tree inventory just a "snapshot" in time, or can historical information be tracked?
Unlike most tree inventories, a TreeWorks database is "live." Any time you are in the field with your PDA or Tablet, it is an opportunity for you to add trees or planting sites, update existing tree attributes, add a maintenance task to a tree, and so on. Every update you make in the field is downloaded to the master database in the office. Of course, all maintenance work tracked through TreeWorks is automatically date-stamped and kept in the database, to be queried and reported on if desired. Additionally, the TreeWorks system is built on the idea of tree "sites". Tree sites, rather than trees, are inventoried and are categorized as trees, stumps, or planting sites. As removals and plantings are completed, and a work history is generated, the sites are transformed from trees to stumps to planting sites or removal sites, and follow-up tasks are generated automatically. This alleviates the need for additional inventories beyond the original one; trees are added as they are planted, converted to stumps and planting sites as they are removed, and edited for task completion or task assignment as they receive attention.
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What is GIS Analysis?
To answer this question, one must ask themselves a question. What problem do they want to solve? What question do they want answered? In general, GIS addresses issues that relate to answers with some spatial component. Consider the spatial relationship of most data and you will find that nearly everything in our world relates spatially from natural resource extraction and management to demographic data and sales potential. Some examples of questions which GIS may address might include: How many trees within this park are of poor condition and in proximity to playgrounds? What percentage of standing timber within this forest has been scheduled for harvesting within the next two years? Which properties have been scheduled for harvesting and what is their location related to highways and sawmills? If there is a major storm, how can one quickly determine which communities will be most affected by the storm's route? How will wildlife populations move across the landscape given habitat corridors and impediments to travel, such as highways and urban areas? A geographic information system (GIS) solution can be used to identify the answers to these questions using data provided and its relationship with to the world around it.
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How can I get started?
Many people ready to begin using GIS find ArcGIS by ESRI an excellent point of departure. Many government agencies have collected vast amounts of data (roads, aerial photography, etc.) and make this data available to the public. This data availability makes initial use of GIS relatively simple and satisfying. Once base data is compiled and a system in place, the answers and analyses desired by the user will depend on his or her inputs. For example, a GIS user may wish to located the potential habitat of the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) and begin by collecting field data with a hand-held computer with GPS capability. Data will then be integrated to the GIS and compared to existing topographic data, forest cover types and land use. From there sharing data is possible through networking or simply e-mailing ArcGIS data to other users. Sharing your analyses and knowledge with others to advance your science through GIS is often the goal of a GIS user. Send us an e-mail at info@kenersongroup.com and we will be happy to reply or give you a call to discuss your GIS needs and how we might assist you in developing the solutions to your geographic needs. Also, visit the websites of your local GIS organizations to browse available data and the website of our business partner, AnythingGIS.com, for pricing and availability of ESRI software to get started.
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Where can I get trained to use GIS to help my organization?
We employ one authorized ArcGIS trainer. Ken Mack is excellent in adapting training lessons to your situation and offers ESRI's Introduction to ArcGIS I and custom training sessions. He generally travels to the user's site for training. Other training opportunities are available through ESRI and their online courses and through many local colleges and universities. Contact us for additional training information (info@kenersongroup.com) or search for local offerings.
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